Once at least in a lifetime. where possible, a muslim shares in the vast international assemblage of the world, in the center of Islam, at the Hajj Pilgrimage. A happy combination of decentralisation and centralisation, of individual liberty and collective meeting, and contact at various stages or grades. The mechanical part of this ordinance is easy to carry out. Are we carrying out more difficult part?— the spirit of unity, brotherhood, mutual consultation, and collective understanding and action? The idea behind the Muslim weekly “Day of Assembly” is different from that behind the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) or the Christian Sunday. The Jewish Sabbath is primarily a commemoration of Allah’s ending. His work and resting on the seventh day: we are taught that Allah needs no rest, nor does he feel fatigue. The Jewish command forbids work on that day but says nothing about worship or prayer; our ordinance lays chief stress on the remembrance of almightyAllah.
There is a higher prosperity, — the health of the mind and the spirit. Hence one should not be distracted by craze for amusement or gain. If you lead a righteous or sober life, Almighty Allah will provide for you in all senses, better than any provision you can possibly think of.
But the Christian Church, although it has changed the day from Saturday to Sunday has inherited the Jewish spirit. Our teaching says: When the time for Jumu’a prayer comes, close your business and answer the summons loyally and earnestly, pray, consult and learn by social contact; when the meeting is over, scatter and go about your business! In Islam, prosperity is not to be measured by wealth or worldly gains. There is a higher prosperity, — the health of the mind and the spirit. Hence one should not be distracted by craze for amusement or gain. If you lead a righteous or sober life, Almighty Allah will provide for you in all senses, better than any provision you can possibly think of. Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The most important day that ever dawned is Friday. It was on this day that Adam (peace be upon him) was created and on this day he was admitted to paradise and it was on Friday when he was expelled from there (and was appointed vicegerent of Allah ) and it is on this day that the Doom shall occur.” (Muslim)
